FIREMAN BRANNIGAN INJURED.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 352, 20 March 1889, Page 5

FIREMAN BRANNIGAN INJURED.

A low minutes before 1 o'clock ycs'.erday afternoon some youths noticed smoke issuing from the roof of Mr David Grubb's bakery shop, in Karangahape Road, just opposite the Pitt-street Wesloyan Sundayschool. They at once ran across the road to the fireball in front of the Naval Hotel and rang out the alarm, while others went inside and notified the occupants that the roof of their house was on fire. Otheis oflered to assist in the removal of the furniture, but this was declined, those inside preferring to wait till the Firo Brigade arrived, meanwhile attempting to get the flames under by means of throwing water upon the burning roof. Exactly fifteen minutes after the alarm was given the Karangahape blanch of the Fire Brigade arrived with a hose reel. Usually this branch aie quickly in attendance, but this time they were late in getting the alarm. The result was that the town Brigade, under Superintendent Hughes, were on the spot before the Karangahapo branch had the water turned on. Five minutes later the Salvage Corps arrived, under Captain Field, then the Kyber branch of the Fire Brigade and the hook and ladder department from the central station. The consequence of this delay was that the fire gutted the whole block, whereas prompt action might have confined it to the house in which it originated. It is but fair to mention, however, that the Karaugahape branch was down within five minutes ot receiving the alarm at the station. In a short time eight leads of hose were playing upon the block from all sides, but the lire had got such a good hold that it lequired a strong fight to prevent the whole block from being burned to the ground. As it was, the fire spread rapidly along the dry shingle roofs, and spread down the first storeys of the various buildings, doing about £500 worth of damage. The firemen were sadly hampered owing to the close pack of buildings with yards and dividing fences. Everything was dry and rotten, and consequently it required strenuous exertions to get the" flames under. Another evil was that four lengths of hose burst when the pressure from the Mount Eden reservoir was turned on. It is stated that this amounted to about 1401bs to the square inch. In about half-an-hour the fire was got under, but not before several of tho firemen received slight injuries. One man belonging to the Karangahope branch, named Andrew Brannigan, gotso severely scorched that he was removed to the Hospital on the recommendation of Dr. Coom. He mounted the parapet and before he got the crater turned on, a rush of flan es scorched his face and legs severely. He then tried to beat a retreat, when the flames lapped round him so fiercely that the back of his thick uniform coat was completely charred. Fortunately none of his injuries will have any permanent effects. Adjoining Grubb's on the western side are a couple of shops belonging to Mr Davies, the ironmonger. These were occupied by Mr Tilly as a fruiterer's and grocer's. Upstairs Mr Andrews had a photographic studio. When the fire reached his chemicals the colours resulting were beautiful. Shortly before the fire reached Tilly's it was deemed advisable to remove Mrs Tilly to a place of safety. This unfortunate lady was confined the previous night, and it is to be hoped that the excitement consequent upon being cairied out in her bed while in such a critical condition may not have an injurious effect. VVhilo the Brigade were working hard to suppress the flames tho Salvage Corps wore equally vigorous in their attempts to salvage the goods and furniture. Undoubbedly the fire would have spread further

along Karnngahape Eoad, had ifc nob been that when the New Zealand Insurance Company came into possession of the three shops which were formerly Mr Grubb's bhoy caused the eastern end to be covered with Blaikies patent fire- proof plaster. The way in which this stood the test speuks volumes for the patent. Although the flames frequently lapped down the side from the roof, still the plaster held its own without even cracking. It is quite evident that dividing walls of this material will effectually check the spread of fiie in wooden blocks, more especially where the roofs are also slated or coveied with corrugated iron. The occupants of the block were as follows : — Firsc, Messrs Wallace and Coates, butchers, managers for the New Zealand Fiozen Meat and Storage Company. These commenced operations at 12 o'clock last night and opened shop in the adjoining premises this morning 1 . Next was the shop of Mr G. Turner, fruiterer, who was uninsured. Then Mr David Grubb's bakery Fhop, insured for £125 in the JSTew Zealand Company on stock and furniture. There three shops belong to the New Zealand Insurance Company, and are covered on their books, p^irt being re-insured. The adjoining two shops" belonged to Mr Davies, and were occupied by Mr Tilly, who was also uninsured. Mr Andrews, the photographer, who had his studio upstairs, was also uninsured, and estimates his loss at £150. Mr Davieg had his two shops insured in the Colonial Oflico for £500. The fire appears to have resulted either from a spark landing on the shingles or else from a defective chimney. Mr R. Glover, fruiterer, was amongst the first upstairs, and he states that the fire seemed to be between the ceiling and the roof. The fire again broke out at 7 o'clock, but was soon suppressed.